The incidence of PTSD and other mental health disorders in the armed forces is extremely high for a number of reasons: a ten year war, multiple tours, and repeated exposure to intense violence and fear are some. Two additional reasons: a shortage of mental health professionals and the over-reliance on prescription medications. Sometimes troops are given drug cocktails and sometimes these prove fatal. More soldiers are now dying from suicide than from combat. As Congress looks to the most vulnerable to cut the budget to preserve tax cuts for the wealthy and the corporations, please put some pressure on them to at least give our troops what we promised - first rate care during and after their service.
Unfortunately, drug cocktails and/or drugs in general are being touted as the cure in every arena of mental health treatment. Certainly, it is unthinkable that those who have served their country cannot receive appropriate services. Julia Grant, Ph.D.
ReplyDelete